Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. II, Part 2

Author: Runk, J.M. & Co
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chambersburg, Pa.
Number of Pages: 1500

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poor, he greatly alleviated the condition of the unfortunate inmates of the county almshouse, at the same time introducing a more econom- ical system into its management. Ile was an agreeable public speaker, a ready and courte- ous debater. He was active and efficient in political campaigns, but, true above all things to his character as a Christian gentleman, scorned the "ways that are dark, and tricks that are vain," by which so many would-be statesmen stoop to gain their ends. These qualities, so well calculated to inspire confi- dence, together with his fine conversational powers, and his benevolent interest in others, especially in young people, won for Mr. Ridgely a circle of friends limited only by the number of his acquaintances. His course with regard to slavery was characteristic; though opposed to the institution, he frequently bought slaves, but only to emancipate them as soon as their labor had re-imbursed him for their purchase-money. If, when overcome by age or infirmity, they came back to him, they were cared for as long as they needed it. Henry Moore Ridgely was married to Sarah Banning, who died January 14, 1837. They had children: I. Elizabeth, died when two years old; II. Ann (Mrs. Charles I. DuPont), of Wilmington, Del .; III. Henry; IV. Nicho- las, died at the age of twenty-eight; V. Eu- gene; VI. Williamina M. (Mrs. Alexander Johnson), of Kent county, Del., deceased; VII. Edward, of Dover, Del. After the death of Mrs. Ridgely, Mr. Ridgely was again mar- ried, on May 17, 1842, to Sarah Ann, daugh- ter of the late Governor Comegys. Mr. Ridgely had retired from professional life in 1832, but continued to superintend the culti- vation of his lands until 1846, when an at- tack of apoplexy caused the decline of his health, and on his sixty-eighth birthday, An- gust 6, 1847, his long and useful life reached a tranquil close. Ile left to his children the legacy of a consistent and honorable example, thorough moral and intellectual training, and much wholesome instruction and advice. Like his father, he was a devout member of the P. E. church; his remains were interred in the churchyard of that denomination, in Dover, and according to his request, his tomb- stone bears the inscription, "Died in the blessed hope of a glorious immortality."

Dr. Henry Ridgely, after preparing for col- lege at Dwight's Gymnasium, New Haven,

Conn., became a student at St. Mary's Col- lege, Md., where he graduated with honor. Ilis preceptor as a student of medicine was Samuel Randolph, M. D., of Philadelphia, and received his diploma after the two years' course then required from the University of Pennsylvania, in 1839. IIe had studied for this profession with a view of entering the U. S. Navy as surgeon, but was persuaded by his aunt, the widow of Chancellor Ridgely, to relinquish this design. IIe has given much attention to agriculture, and is an extensive land-owner. Dr. Ridgely became, in 1846, the third president of the Farmers' Bank of Dover; his predecessors were his father and his father-in-law. In 1864, he became a director of the Kent County Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and afterwards the president. He has been largely identified with the public affairs of Dover, and has proved a truly patri- otie and public-spirited citizen. Having been one of the earliest promoters of the building of the Delaware R. R., and among the first directors and a large subscriber towards its completion, he continued to act upon its board of directors until 1866. The manner of his separation from that body was characteristic. A controversy, which resulted in a suit at law, having arisen between the peach raisers of the state and the railroad, Mr. Ridgely, in spite of his heavy financial interest in the road, took the part of the peach-raisers, whom he re- garded as having been aggrieved. Through his testimony and his financial aid, the suit was decided against the company. The pass- ing of the railroad through the town of Dover is due to Mr. Ridgely's influence. To him also is largely due the organization of the Citizens' Building and Loan Association, which has accomplished so much for the growth and improvement of the town. As a conservative Democrat, Mr. Ridgely has taken some part in political affairs, although his dis- taste for political life in general is so great as to have caused him to refuse more than once a nomination to the highest office in the gift of the state. In 1836, he was a delegate to the Cincinnati convention, which nominated James Buchanan as president; and the legis- lature of Delaware appointed him to repre- sent the state in the Peace Congress of 1861.

Henry Ridgely was married, November 1, 1843, to Virginia E., daughter of Jonathan Jenkins, an honored citizen of Kent county,

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Del., and an influential member of the So- ciety of Friends. Mr. and Mrs. Ridgely had four children, of whom the only survivor is Ruth Ann, who was first married to Richard Harrington, Esq., now deceased, a lawyer of Dover, and son of the late Chancellor Har- rington, and after his death to James H. Wil- son, M. D., of Dover. Mrs. Virginia E. Ridgely died May 26, 1896. Mr. Ridgely was again married, July 1, 1897, to Annie J. Kemp, of Easton, Md. Henry Ridgely has been for many years a member of the Episco- pal church, in which he serves as a vestryman and senior warden.

REV. JOSEPII BROWN TURNER, Dover, Del., son of Rev. James Davis and Caroline (Brown) Turner, was born in Can- nonsburg, Pa., July 31, 1853.

David Turner, great-grandfather of Rev. Joseph Brown Turner, is supposed to have been born in New Jersey. From that state he emigrated to Ohio, and became one of the pioneer settlers of what is now Harrison coun- ty. On his journey thither he stopped for a time at some point in Pennsylvania. The trip to the outposts of the settled country was attended with much danger and many hard- ships. Mr. Turner was accompanied by his wife and seven children, and to persons less courageous and determined the undertaking would have been impossible. They had of necessity to ereet their own home, and, until that was provided, they camped in the wilder- ness, surrounding themselves at night with blazing piles of brush to prevent the too close approach of wild animals. A sufficient piece of ground was cleared, and upon it a log cabin was built for the family. It had none of the more modern comforts, but it had all the charm and security of a castle, after the peril- ous journey and the weather-beaten camp in the woods. There they lived in contentment until the husband and father, who had always been their loving counselor and safe guide, was stricken in death. He was cutting down trees in the wilderness, when a mis-stroke of the axe drove the blade into his leg, entting an artery. Had surgical attendance been possible, the wound might have been healed; as it was, Mr. Turner bled to death. David Turner married Mary Clark of New Jersey. Of their children, there is record of the following: I. Jolm B., removed to Indiana; IT. Jane

(Mrs. Balderstone), removed to

Wisconsin ; III. Sarah (Mrs. Joseph Buchanan), settled in Wisconsin; IV. Ann (Mrs. Robert Gray), settled in Mus- kingum county, Ohio, where Mr. Gray died, and afterward in Iowa; V. Samuel, married Clarissa Davis Mann, killed January 12, 1826, by a falling derrick at Duncan's Falls, O., where his father-in-law, Col. James Mann, had extensive salt works. One child was born in the wilderness of Ohio soon after David Turner arrived in that state.

James Davis Turner, son of Samuel Turner, and father of Joseph Brown Turner, was born at MeConnellsville, O., August 11, 1824. After completing his preliminary education he enterd Franklin College, New Athens, O., and was graduated therefrom about 1849. IIe was immediately licensed as a minister in the M. E. church, and served as pastor of a num- ber of charges. In October, 1861, he was commissioned chaplain of the Fourth Cavalry, and served under General Mcclellan in the Peninsula campaign. Because of failing health he returned to Washington, D. C., and there recruited the first regiment of colored troops for service in the Union army. Presi- dent Lincoln had promised him the coloneley of the regiment, but the influence of Secre- tary Stanton prevented the president from conferring that honor upon him. Mr. Turner was an eloquent orator, a faithful pastor, and a loyal and enthusiastic supporter of the Union. He had much personal magnetism, and attached his congregations and friends to him with sincere affection. On October 29, 1851, Rev. James Davis Turner was married, in Cannonsburg, Pa., to Caroline Brown. Their children are: I. Joseph Brown; II. Clara Mann (Mrs. Rev. C. M. Westlake), of Sault St. Marie, Mich; III. James Henry, traveling salesman, married Elizabeth Missimer. Rev. James Davis Turner died in Washington, D. C., June 25, 1864; his widow died in Can- nonsburg, Pa., in 1892.

Joseph Brown Turner attended the private school in Washington, D. C., taught by Miss Helen Jensen, during the war. After his father's death his mother removed to Can- nonsburg, Pa., and there Joseph Brown spent three years in the academy. Subsequently he entered the Western University of Pitts- burg, Pa., from which he went to Washington and Jefferson College, at Washington, Pa.

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Ilis education was completed by a course in the Western Theological Seminary, of Pitts- burg, from which institution he was graduated in 1881. Mr. Turner paid his own way through college and seminary by his labor during vacations. His first charge was the Little Britain Presbyterian congregation in Lancaster county, Pa., where he conducted a successful pastorate of five years. Then he was called to the Beaver church, of Beaver county, Pa., and thence to the Glenshaw Pres- byterian church of Allegheny county, Pa. Ile began his duties there in the antumn of 1886. The congregation was small and was without a church building. Services were held in a bicycle factory. Rev. Mr. Turner set vigorously to work, erected a church, and made other extensive material improvements in the charge. In January, 1893, he was in- stalled as pastor of the Broad Avenue Presby- terian church, of Altoona, Pa., and there com- pleted a new church. In October, 1894, he was called to his present charge, Dover, one of the oklest congregations in Delaware, and here the earnest and effective work which marked all his former pastorates has been con- tinued. Rev. J. B. Turner is a logical and elo- quent speaker, and his sermons are character- ized by thought and research, and an attract- ive manner of presentation. He is affable, and is a social favorite, but finds some of his greatest pleasures in his home life and in his library.

On August 31, 1880, Joseph Brown Turner was married in Pittsburg, Pa., to Ellen Cush- ing, daughter of William Wallace and Ellen (Dodge) Mair, of Boston, Mass., and Pitts- burg, Pa. Their children are: I. Ellen Cush- ing Mair, at school; HI. Van Arsdale Brown.

REV. JOSEPHI C. PIERCE, P. O. Dover, Del., son of James Knox Polk and Mary (Bell) Pierce, was born near Chesapeake City, Cecil county, Md., August 14, 1867.

Ilis grandfather, James Pierce, was a native of Kent county, Del., and passed all his years on a farm. When a young man, he lived for some years in Maryland, and then went to Chester county, Pa. Preferring Maryland, however, he soon returned to that state, and subsequently purchased a farm near Williams- burg, Va .; this farm he tilled for a few years, and then sold it and started back to his old home in Cecil county, Md. On the road he was

taken ill, and died in Baltimore. Mr. Pierce was in his eighty-fifth year at the time of his death, which occurred about 1884. Ilis widow, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Wright, of Kent county, Del., survived him one year. Their children were: I. William, who settled in Ceeil county, Md., and died in Chester county, Pa .; II. Joseph C., who ac- companied his father to Virginia and died there; III. Amelia (Mrs. Charles Bosharl), deceased, as is her husband also; IV. Edward F., of Chester county, Pa .; V. James Knox Polk.

James Knox Polk Pierce was born in Cecil county, Md., in 1844. He was a farmer. About 1874 he removed to Chester, Pa., and was engaged in various occupations there. IIe is an advocate of Prohibition. James K. Polk Pierce was married while in Maryland to Mary (Bell) Anderson, of Rap- pahannock county, Va. Their children are: I. Joseph C .; II. William H., of Chester, Pa .; III. Esther C., a trained nurse in Philadel- phia. Mrs. Pierce had previously married - Anderson, and by that marriage had several children. Mr. Pierce and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Rev. Joseph C. Pierce spent his first seven years on a farm; he then went with his parents to Chester, Pa., where he attended the public schools, completing their curriculum when he was fifteen years old. He determined to enter the gospel ministry, and followed his studies in Chester with a three years' course in Pennington Seminary, New Jersey. Mr. Pierce began his ministerial labors in the Methodist Episcopal church of Landenburg, Chester county, Pa. A year later he went to Richboro, Bucks county, Pa., and after seven months, to Rushmore, Nobles County, Min. There he remained two years, and then removed to Elysian, Le Sueur county, in the same state. After ministering for seven months to the spiritual wants of the Metho- dists of that community, Mr. Pierce resigned his charge and returned to Pennsylvania. Ho transferred his allegiance from the Methodist to the Baptist church, and took a three years' course in Crozer Theological Seminary, at Up- land, Pa. Upon the completion of his studies there, Rev. Mr. Pierce acepted a call from the Colerain Baptist church in Lancaster county. When he had preached there two years, he

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was called to the First Baptist church of Dover, in February, 1897, and he labored very earnestly there. Since he entered upon the pastorate, the debt on the church has been paid. Politically, Rev. Mr. Pierce is inde- pendent. He has taken an active and aggres- sive part on behalf of the Prohibition cause. He is a member of the Jr. O. U. A. M., and of the I. O. O. F.

Rev. Joseph C. Pierce was married, April 2, 1890, to Ella V. Ewing, of Landenburg, Chester county, Pa. They have three chil- dren: I. Hubert Ewing; II. Vance Ackley; III. James Craven.

JAMES H. HUGHES, Secretary of the State, P. O. Dover, Del., son of Eben Hughes and Rebecca (Hurd) Hughes, was born in South Murderkill hundred, Kent county, Del- aware, January 14, 1867.

He is the grandson of Samuel IInghes and the great-grandson of James Hughes. James Hughes was born in Baltimore county, Md., and settled in Caroline county, Md., where he was a prominent farmer until his death. He had a large family of children, one of whom was Samuel Hughes, the grandfather of James If. Hughes. When, during the war of 1812, the British attacked Baltimore, James Hughes was among its defenders and was engaged in the several battles that took place there. His son Samuel, then a lad, visited him in the trenches, and the British making an attack, he took a musket and fought beside his father.

Samuel Hughes was born in 1797, in Caro- line county, Md., and after the death of his father crossed over into Kent county, Del., where he married Elizabeth Reed, daughter of William Reed, and a member of one of the oldest and most prominent families of that part of Delaware. After this marriage Mr. Hughes settled in Kent county, Del., in Mis- pillion hundred, on the road from Felton to Greensboro, where he resided until his death in 1881 at the age of eighty-four years. Mrs. Hughes died the same year at the age of eighty-one. Samuel Hughes was a justice of the peace for many years, and one of the most honored and respected citizens of Kent coun- ty. Hle left a large family of children as fol- lows: I. Alexander, of Kent county, Del .; II. Ann (Mrs. Joshua Lister), of Kent coun- ty; III. James, of Greensboro, Md .; IV. Eben, of Kent county; V. Susan, and VI.

Elizabeth (Mrs. Elijah Sapp), twins, of Kent county; VII. Samuel, of Kent county; VIII. Rachel (widow of John Brown), of Winning- ton, Del .; IX. Ellen (Mrs. Enoch Clark), of Dover, Del.

Eben Hughes, the father of James II. Hughes, and the third son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Reed) Hughes, was born in Kent county, Del., in 1831, and grew up on his father's farm, attending the public school of his neighborhood. He married Rebecca IIurd, a daughter of James Hurd, of South Murder- kill hundred, Kent county, a man of great piety and highly respected. Eben Hughes is a farmer, owning and residing on the home- stead of his father, and is a highly esteemed citizen. He has been prominent in the affairs of his neigborhood and county, and was from 1882 to 1886 county treasurer of Kent coun- ty, which office he filled with ability and credit. He is a Democrat from principle, and has been an active party worker. He has the following children: I. Samuel C., farmer; II. James IT., lawyer and Secretary of the State; III. Mary A. (Mrs. Charles Bastian); IV. Eben R., merchant; V. Albert, at home; VI. Benjamin HI., at home; VII. Elijah S., at home; all of Kent county, Del.

James H. Hughes grew up on his father's farm, attending the public school. He was a bright boy, fond of study and an apt scholar. When he was sixteen years old he taught school. He afterward attended the Wilmington Conference Academy at Dover, paying his own way and making rapid progress in his studies. In 1887 he began the study of law with the late Chancellor James Wolcott, teaching school most of the time and reading at night. Hle was admitted to the bar in 1890, and im- mediately began the practice of his profession in Dover, where he has achieved marked suc- cess. During the years 1891-1892 he was As- sistant Secretary of State and on June 17, 1897, was appointed Secretary of State by Governor Tunnell. He is a Democrat who he- lieves implicitly in his party and works un- tiringly in its interests. Like most native born Delawareans, Mr. Hughes is proud of his state, and takes a keen interest in her wel- fare and traditions. He is affable and genial in temperament, unpretending in manner, and exceedingly popular with all classes. Mr. Hughes is umnarried. He attends the Metho- dist Episcopal church.

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WILLIAM PENN SHOCKLEY, ESQ., Dover, Del., son of William and Ellen M. (Simmons) Shockley, was born in Milford, Sussex county, Del., July 3, 1869.

Ilis paternal grandfather was William Shockley, who was born in Delaware, of Eng- lish parentage. He took up land in Cedar Creek hundred, and in his earlier days de- voted himself diligently to its scientific culti- vation. Mr. Shockley accumulated what was considered a large fortune, which he invested in farms and in a number of mills. After re- linquishing the active superintendence of his farms, he established a general merchandise store, which he conducted until his death. Before and during the Revolutionary War, he was in hearty sympathy with the Crown, and did not conceal his sentiments. His house was the refuge and hiding place of many Brit- ish soldiers and Tories, who fled thither for safety from the pursuit of the Continentals. William Shockley was married to Elizabeth Warren, a native of Cedar Creek. They had a large family of children, to each of whom their father gave a farm or a mill. He was a devout member of the Protestant Episcopal church. .

His son, William Shockley, 2, was born on the mansion farm in 1806. After attaining manhood, he gave his time and energies to the cultivation of the farm given him by his father. He married Elizabeth Bennett; they had two children: I. William, 3, II. Elizabeth, who died in childhood. William Shockley, 2, died on his farm in 1863, a com- paratively young man. His widow survived him only a few years.

William Shockley, 3, was born on the farm at Cedar Creek Mills, September 6, 1827. IIe received a common school education, and was instructed at home by his mother, a woman of superior character and unusual intellect- val attainments. In his youth his health was delicate, and he was unable to do heavy labor on the farm. He therefore sold his land and purchased property in Milford. There he stocked a store with groceries, and soon he- came one of the successful merchants of the town. He has been justice of the peace for several years. He was originally an adher- ent of the Whig party, but since its dissolu- tion, has supported the Democracy. Mrs. Shockley was born in Jersey City, N. J., June

10, 1837, daughter of Michael Simmons, pro- duce merchant of New York City. Their children are: I. Rachel Van Wert (Mrs. W. W. Daugherty), of Milford; II. William T'enn, Dover.

William Penn Shockley attended the pub- lic schools of Milford, and was graduated from them at the age of sixteen. For several years he was a clerk in his father's store, but found that mercantile life was not congenial to him, and therefore decided upon a professional career. He entered Lafayette College, Easton, Pa., from which he received he degree of A. B. in 1894. His tastes inclined to legal pur- suits, and he registered as a law student in Dover, with the late N. B. Smithers, Esq. After the death of his preceptor, Mr. Shockley completed his studies with Judge James Pen- newill. He was admitted to the bar in October, 1897. Mr. Shockley is a stanch Democrat. He is a member of the Masonic order and of the Kent and Dover social clubs. Affable and courteous, he has made friends everywhere.

On November 22, 1894, William Penn Shockley was married to Agnes B., daugh- ter of John Smeallie, of Saratoga, N. Y. They have one child, Ellen Elizabeth, born June 16, 1897. Mrs. Shockley is one of the most popular members of Dover society. Mr. and Mrs. Shockley are members of the Pres- byterian church.

ROBERT S. DOWNS, Deputy Sheriff of Kent county, P. O. Dover, Del., son of John and Margaret Downs, was born in West Dover hundred, Kent county, Del., July 10, 1841. (For history of ancestors see sketch of Dr. John M. Downs, Hazlettville, Kent county.)

When Robert S. Downs was four years old, his mother died, and four years later his father followed her to the grave. Thus, early in life, he was practically thrown upon his own re- sources. After the death of his father, he lived in the family of a relative, where he worked on the farm and attended the neigh- borhood school when it was possible for him to do so. Before he was twenty-one years old, patriotic ardor led to his enlistment, on June 9, 1862, in Company G, Fourth Regi- ment, Delaware Volunteer Infantry, as a pri- vate. He joined the regiment at Camp Bran-

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dywine and remained there until the follow- ing November, when he was sent to Virginia and placed on guard duty. He was next at- tached to the Fourth Army Corps, in which his first battle was that of Baltimore X Roads. This was succeeded by many light skirmishes. Just prior to the battle of Gettys- burg he was transferred to Washington, D. C., and ordered to join the Army of the Po- tomac immediately. While on his way he was directed to report to Arlington Heights, and thence was sent to Fairfax Court House, where he became a member of the Fifth Army Corps, General G. K. Warren, commanding. From that time until the surrender of Gen- eral Lee, he was almost daily under fire except when wounded. Some of the most important engagements in which Mr. Downs partici- pated were: Fredericksburg, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, where he was in the front line; Davis' House and Hatch's Run. At Cold Ilarbor and Petersburg he was wounded, and made dangerously ill. He was sent to Ports- mouth Grove, R. I., and after a time became convalescent and rejoined his regiment at Davis' House. At the close of the war, Mr. Downs was discharged at Arlington Heights, and paid the money due him at Wilmington. He arrived at home June 9, 1865, after a long and creditable service in his country's behalf.

Subsequently, Mr. Downs embarked in mercantile pursuits. His first venture was at Vernon, Del. In a short time he disposed of his interest to his partner, and engaged in busi- ness in Farmington, Del., with Thomas Pur- nell, who was succeeded as his associate by Alexander Simpson. In January, 1868, after selling his interests in Farmington, Mr. Downs established a store in Harrington, but in 1869 relinquished it, and entered the employ of Ezekiel Fleming of Harrington, of whose lum- ber yards he was foreman for many years. In 1892, he severed his connection with Mr. Fleming, and became foreman for William Taylor, with whom he remained until 1894. ITis life long friend, Samuel Shaw, was, in that year, elected sheriff of Kent county, on the Republican ticket, after a brilliant cam- paign, and Mr. Downs was appointed deputy sheriff; he still tills this office very acceptably. Mr. Downs is a popular and esteemed citizen. Ile is a member of Chosen Friends Lodge, No. 85, I. O. O. F .; Mispillion Conclave, No. 33, I. O. II .; and Minqua Tribe, No. 31, I. O. R.

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Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. II, Part 2

Author: Runk, J.M. & Co Publication date: 1899 Publisher: Chambersburg, Pa. Number of Pages: 1500

Author: Runk, J.M. & Co
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chambersburg, Pa.
Number of Pages: 1500